The DAI-ACEBA Project

To address this constraint, Dutch Committee for Afghanistan (DCA) will identify Master Herders, mainly Sarkhils and experienced herdsmen to deliver training of trainers (ToT) on animal husbandry and herd improvement strategies with the objective of increasing their knowledge on goat and sheep herd health. The training will particularly focus on disease recognition and prevention, as goat and sheep health impacts the yield and quality of animal fibers. Following completion of the ToT, the Master Herders will train other herders within their communities to increase herders’ understanding of the effects of good animal husbandry practices on cashmere and wool production. This will, ultimately, contribute to an increase in the quality and quantity of goat cashmere harvested, and sold to cashmere exporters and processors. There will be as well an increase in the production and sale of quality sheep wool for carpet production.Given the change in the focus of the ACEBA program, the grant’s objective is modified to address the unfolding livelihoods and humanitarian disaster among herders/farmers of small ruminants. The revised activity proposes to help address these issues and strengthen livelihoods through the development of a network of stop-shops, based on existing businesses. This is where small ruminant by-products, such as cashmere and wool, can be aggregated with the participation of farmer/herder groups. Stop shops will be linked with cashmere and wool traders in provincial centers and cities, and sales facilitated at higher prices than herder/farmers would receive for their products if sold locally. To address the liquidity issue, each participating stop-shop will receive a working capital advance to facilitate the purchase of by-products and other costs. In addition, DCA will disburse vouchers redeemable at the stop-shops for veterinary services and animal feed to help prevent the selling-off of livestock, and the resulting negative impact on livelihoods. The activity focus will be countrywide with four western provinces (Herat, Farah, Badghis & Ghor), four southern provinces (Helmand, Ghazni, Kandahar & Nimruz) six central & northern provinces (Balkh, Faryab, Sar-i-Pul, Bamiyan, Samangan and Jawzjan) and four northeastern provinces (Badakhshan, Baghlan, Kunduz & Takhar) selected due to their potential for cashmere and wool, as well as other products. 

Project goals and objectives:

1. Increased prices of livestock products (cashmere and wool) compared to the sales price in the villages through linkages with stop-shops to pastoral and agrarian women and men in the target provinces.

2. Existing sales points and stop-shops strengthened in villages, districts, and provinces to promote access of small ruminant products from farmers/pastoralists in the target areas. Income generated for producers, sellers, and buyers.

3. To increase the quality and quantity of cashmere and wool sold to cashmere exporters and carpet wool related businesses.

Expected Outcomes:

• Livelihoods strengthened though the securing of higher prices for small ruminant by-products.
• Increased technical knowledge of stop-shop owners and herder/farmer groups concerning industry requirements for cashmere and wool cleaning and sorting as well as improved cashmere and wool harvesting methods.
• Increased liquidity introduced into the small ruminants’ by-products market through the provision of working capital to stop-shops
• Reduction in the forced sale of animals and increased heard health through the provision of vouchers for animal health services and feed.
• Increased quality and quantity of cashmere and wool sold to cashmere exporters and carpet-related wool businesses from the targeted geographical areas.
• The project benefits 100,345 individuals. Herder/farmer income increased through better prices for their small ruminant by-products and improved health and production of their livestock.
• Reduction in goat and sheep mortality and morbidity rates in the targeted districts.